Our Story

Picture this; it’s 2006, Pinterest doesn’t come out for 4 more years, people are talking about a new website, Youtube and still care about the top 8 best friends on Myspace.

This is the year that I started Privity Boutique.

I grew up in Alabama and went to a private Christian School. At the age of 16, I became pregnant with my daughter Catelin, yes--I know, not ideal, but I was determined to not become a statistic. I wanted to make her proud! 

I had heard about home parties (anyone remember those?!), and in 2006 I decided to give them a try! By this time, I had moved to Arizona, and borrowed $2,500 from my Mom to start my new venture. Thanks to word of mouth, business grew, and I was hosting these parties all the time and feeling so blessed! I took every penny I made and invested it right back into the business!

When 2007 rolled around, I got a rhinestone machine and started rhinestoning and found my niche working with local schools and dance studios. Two months into my rhinestoning endeavour, I found a tiny store in Mesa, Arizona. I thought about opening up a storefront but was scared about moving too fast. I decided I was ready to take on the task. That’s my personality, when I want something, I like to think I can do anything...hahaha!!

I moved my daughter to the school across the street from my store and was so lucky to be able to take her to and from school every day with a “Be Back in 15 Minutes” note on the door. I kept the business alive through the tumultuous economic times of 2008 and was able to spend time doing what I love. They say it takes a village…that couldn’t be more true, too many names to mention, thank you.

Fast forward to 2012, my beautiful daughter and her friends were like, “You need an Instagram”. I’m like “...A what?”.  I didn’t have a fancy smartphone or the latest technology...it just wasn’t me.  They made me an account and told me what I needed to do.

At this point, I’m taking advice from 13 year olds, lol--but OMG were they right!!!

Within a week Catelin and her friends had business booming. The store was packed, Instagram followers growing like crazy and I couldn’t keep inventory in stock! 

In May 2013 I took the leap and moved online after taking WAY too many phone orders each day! I remember not knowing what in the heck I was doing! I got everything set up with my outdated Sony computer (I didn’t even know what an iMac was). Girl, I can’t even tell you how much I was lacking computer skills. Some things never change! Lol! That is where I learned, I can even run a website! Lol! (Keep in mind I didn’t get an iPhone until 2015 even though my daughter had one…lol!)  

I tripled the size of the store in 2014. I was loving every second of getting to dress all these wonderful ladies! Many of whom have turned into, over decades long friends! 

In 2015 my heart was set to move to “ALL online” however an opportunity for another location came up that was too good to pass up. I moved my store there and within a year, I got a divorce, blessings ladies! Then over the next few years, I worked on my plan to be online only. 

We finally transitioned Privity to be entirely online in 2019 (my procrastination skills are bar none ladies seriously #thestrugleisreal) and I couldn’t be happier! I still get to see my regulars when they come to the warehouse and shop, we visit and share all the love! I get to do what I truly love to do which is help others feel good about themselves! The relationships I have built are truly a blessing beyond measure! I pray every day and feel so blessed that God had this plan I was unaware of and I get to do what I love to do every single day! I mean how lucky am I, holy cow!! 

A lot has changed over the years. Catelin, the spark behind my business, whom, I raised as a single mom and her only parent; is now 21 and has graduated High School and Hair School, proud momma moments!! (Of course, now I am aging myself, lol!). I bought a beautiful townhouse and ran into an old friend, Rich, from over a decade ago who became MY person! He supports Privity and all it means to me! 

Privity has evolved over the years to become what it is now, and through all this time, the main goal has stayed the same. Affordable clothing and styles that can be intermixed to make a few staple pieces turn into several outfits! Making it easy to update your wardrobe and look like you just came off the runway while keeping it budget friendly for all!

I’m always here to help you in any way I can. It brings me so much joy! I'm so grateful for all of you and so thankful that God continues to bless me daily with more than I could have ever imagined! Thank you so much to all of you for helping me live my dream and live this crazy boutique life!!

XOXO,

Amanda